Apparatus and method for antenna alignment

ABSTRACT

Apparatus comprising a first antenna configured to receive alignment signalling from a first transmitter over a first communication channel, the first communication channel having a first set of characteristics, and a second antenna configured to exchange data w.th a second transmitter over a second communication channel, the second communication channel having a second different set of characteristics. The apparatus also comprising a processor configured to process the alignment signalling received from the first antenna and determine the location of the second transmitter relative to the apparatus; and generate control signalling representative of the determined location of the second transmitter relative to the apparatus. The apparatus further comprising a user interface configured to provide a user with an indication of the relative location of the second transmitter relative to the apparatus in accordance with the control signalling to allow for the second antenna to be aligned for data exchange with the second transmitter.

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.application Ser. No. 13/381,319, filed May 15, 2012, which claimspriority to PCT Application PCT/EP2009/004728 filed Jun. 30, 2009, theentire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of apparatus comprisingfirst and second antennas, associated methods, computer programs anduser interfaces. Certain disclosed aspects/embodiments relate toportable electronic devices, in particular, so-called hand-portableelectronic devices which may be hand-held in use (although they may beplaced in a cradle in use). Such hand-portable electronic devicesinclude so-called Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs).

The portable electronic devices/apparatus according to one or moredisclosed aspects/embodiments may provide one or more audio/text/videocommunication functions (e.g., tele-communication, video-communication,and/or text transmission (Short Message Service (SMS)/Multimedia MessageService (MMS)/emailing) functions), interactive/non-interactive viewingfunctions (e.g. web-browsing, navigation, TV/program viewing functions),music recording/playing functions (e.g., MP3 or other format and/or(FM/AM) radio broadcast recording/playing), downloading/sending of datafunctions, image capture function (e.g. using a (e.g. in-built) digitalcamera), and gaming functions.

It will also be appreciated that certain disclosed aspects/embodimentsrelate to laptop computers, computer peripherals, and any otherelectronic devices that can exchange data with another electronicdevice.

BACKGROUND

Recent technological and regulatory development has spurred stronginterest in millimetre wave communication applications, for example inthe range of 30 GHz to 90 GHz. As one example, large unlicensedfrequency bands are being allocated globally for communications at about60 GHz. The wide available bandwidth gives an opportunity to developextremely high bit-rate radio communication systems with relativelysimple modulation schemes. Data rates of up to 10 Gbps are possible.Atmospheric attenuation at 60 GHz can also reduce interference problems.

US 2007/0037528 (Doan et al) discloses a wireless communication deviceusing adaptive beam forming. The device comprises a radio frequencytransmitter having a digitally controlled phased array antenna coupledto and controlled by a processor to transmit content using adaptive beamforming. The device also has an interface to a wireless communicationchannel coupled to the processor to communicate antenna informationrelating to the use of the phased array antenna and to communicateinformation to facilitate playing the content at another location.

US 2007/0197229 (Kalliola et al) discloses a system for indicating therelative direction of a target object or location as determined from thecurrent position of a wireless communication device.

The listing or discussion of a prior-published document or anybackground in this specification should not necessarily be taken as anacknowledgement that the document or background is part of the state ofthe art or is common general knowledge. One or more aspects/embodimentsof the present disclosure may or may not address one or more of thebackground issues.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising:

a first antenna configured to receive alignment signalling from a firsttransmitter over a first communication channel, the first communicationchannel having a first set of characteristics;

a second antenna configured to exchange data with a second transmitterover a second communication channel, the second communication channelhaving a second different set of characteristics;

a processor configured to:

-   -   process the alignment signalling received from the first antenna        and determine the location of the second transmitter relative to        the apparatus; and    -   generate control signalling representative of the determined        location of the second transmitter relative to the apparatus;        and

a user interface configured to provide a user with an indication of therelative location of the second transmitter relative to the apparatus inaccordance with the control

signalling to allow for the second antenna to be aligned for dataexchange with the second transmitter.

A user can manipulate the apparatus in accordance with the indication ofthe relative location of the second transmitter relative to theapparatus in order to provide for the data exchange with the secondtransmitter. This can provide a convenient user interface for a user tobe able to exchange data with the second transmitter, even if the secondtransmitter is not visible to a user. In such examples, it may not havebeen possible/convenient for a user to be able to align their devicewith the second transmitter using the prior art. The apparatus may beeasy for a user to use and exchange data with a transmitter withoutrequiring particular technical expertise.

The different characteristics of the first and second communicationchannels can be utilised to provide an efficient and economicalapparatus. For example, communication channels and correspondingantennas/transmitters that have characteristics that are appropriate fortheir purpose, including the power consumed by the apparatus, can beused in order to improve performance of the apparatus.

It will be appreciated that exchanging data between the apparatus andthe second transmitter may be unidirectional (in either one direction)or bidirectional. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any transmitterdescribed herein could also be a transceiver, that is, the transmittercould also be operable as a receiver.

The user interface may comprise a display configured to provide a userwith a graphical indication of the relative direction to the secondtransmitter from the apparatus. For example, the graphical indicationmay be a pointing arrow that can represent a direction in two or threedimensions. In other examples, different types of user interface can beused to provide a user with an indication of the relative direction,including an audible indication and/or an indicator that a user canfeel/touch.

The first and second transmitters may have relative locations which areassociated with one another. For example, the relative location betweenthe first and second transmitters may be known, or may be derivable fromthe alignment signalling, and may be taken into account when determiningthe relative direction to the second transmitter based on alignmentsignalling received from the first transmitter.

The first set of characteristics of the first communication channel maybe defined by one or more from the group comprising:

a low data rate communication channel, which may be lower than the datarate associated with the second communication channel;

a wide field of view/beamwidth, which may be wider than the field ofview/beamwidth associated with the second communication channel; a lowfrequency RF signal, which may a be lower frequency than the frequencyassociated with the second communication channel;

a low power consumption, which may be lower than the power consumptionassociated with exchanging data over the second communication channel;

functionality to provide digital signal processing at carrier frequency;and high tolerance for losing line of sight between the first antennaand the first transmitter, the tolerance for losing line of sight overthe first communication channel may be greater than the toleranceassociated with the second communication channel.

The second set of characteristics of the second communication channelmay be defined by one or more from the group comprising:

a high data rate communication channel, which may be higher than thedata rate associated with the second communication channel;

a narrow field of view/beamwidth, which may be more narrow than thefield of view/beamwidth associated with the second communicationchannel; a high frequency RF signal, which may be a higher frequencythan the frequency associated with the second communication channel; and

a high power consumption, which may be higher than the power consumptionassociated with exchanging data over the second communication channel.

The first and second transmitters may be co-located. The processor maybe configured to control the direction of the second directional antennasuch that it is aligned with the determined relative direction to thefirst transmitter if it is within the field of view of the secondantenna. That is, the relative direction from the apparatus to the firsttransmitter may be considered to be the same as the relative directionto the second transmitter, or considered as close enough that data canbe exchanged between the apparatus and the transmitters.

The first and second transmitters may be configured to have differentlocations but have relative locations which can still be associated withone another. In such a case, the alignment signalling transmitted overthe first communication channel may provide for determination of therelative location of the second transmitter by utilising data relatingto the location of the second transmitter relative to the firsttransmitter.

The first and second antennas may be configured from the same antennaelement or elements.

The first antenna may be a directional antenna and/or the second antennamay be a directional antenna. The second antenna may be configured toexchange data with the second transmitter automatically, for example bythe processor being configured to control the directionality of thesecond antenna in accordance with the determined relative direction tothe second transmitter from the apparatus.

The first antenna may comprise one or more phased array antennas. Thenumber and/or type of phased antenna arrays that are used may beselected in accordance with a desired field of view of the firstantenna, for example a 180 degree field of view may be desired. Thedesired field of view of the first antenna can represent the degree towhich the apparatus is pointing towards the first transmitter in orderthat feedback can be provided to the user via the user interface toenable data exchange with the second transmitter. In some examples afirst antenna having a 360 degree field of view may be provided so thatthe apparatus can always provide a user with feedback as to how to alignthe apparatus with the second transmitter in order to be able toexchange data.

The first communication channel may be selected from the groupcomprising:

a 2.4 GHz wireless local area network (WLAN) channel; and

a Bluetooth channel.

The first antenna may comprise a plurality of omni-directional antennas,for example antennas associated with Bluetooth or WLAN applications. Thefirst communication channel may take advantage of the properties of anantenna that is already present in a device associated with theapparatus. For example, an existing antenna can be used as part of thefirst antenna for receiving the alignment signalling.

The second communication channel may be selected from the groupcomprising:

a wireless local area network (WLAN) channel with a frequency in therange of about 30 GHz to about 90 GHz; and

a 60 GHz wireless local area network (WLAN) channel.

It will be appreciated that the exact frequency of the communicationchannel is not an essential feature of the invention in someembodiments, and that the second communication channel can have anycharacteristics, including any frequency, that provides for adequatedata exchange.

The second communication channel may enable a high rate of dataexchange, for example to provide high-speed wireless internet access, orany other high-speed data downloads or uploads.

The second communication channel may be a narrow-beam communicationchannel. This may be advantageous as power may not be wasted bytransmitting, or attempting to receive, data at a high frequency/datarate over a large field of view. This can improve the efficiency ofdevices with which the apparatus is associated.

The second communication channel may provide a unidirectional data linkfrom the second transmitter to the second antenna, a unidirectional datalink from the second antenna to the second transmitter, or abidirectional data link between the second transmitter and the secondantenna.

Similarly, the first communication channel may provide a unidirectionaldata link from the first transmitter to the first antenna, aunidirectional data link from the first antenna to the firsttransmitter, or a bidirectional data link between the first transmitterand the first antenna.

The alignment signalling may comprise one or more of:

transmitter identification data;

timing and/or synchronisation data;

connection initialisation data; and

an un-modulated waveform, including a sinusoidal waveform.

According to a further aspect, there is provided an apparatuscomprising:

a first transmitter configured to transmit alignment signalling to afirst antenna over a first communication channel, the firstcommunication channel having a first set of characteristics; and

a second transmitter configured to exchange data with a second antennaover a second communication channel, the second communication channelhaving a second different set of characteristics.

The first transmitter may be a Bluetooth low energy beacon that isconfigured to transmit a signal that conveys direction and the accesspoints name.

There may be provided a device comprising any apparatus disclosedherein.

There may be provided a module for a device, the module comprising anyapparatus disclosed herein.

There may be provided a system comprising:

a first apparatus and second apparatus, the first apparatus comprising:

a first antenna configured to receive alignment signalling from a firsttransmitter of the second apparatus over a first communication channel,the first communication channel having a first set of characteristics;

a second antenna configured to exchange data with a second transmitterof the second apparatus over a second communication channel, the secondcommunication channel having a second different set of characteristics;

a processor configured to:

-   -   process the alignment signalling received from the first antenna        and determine the location of the second transmitter relative to        the first apparatus; and    -   generate control signalling representative of the determined        location of the second transmitter relative to the first        apparatus; and

a user interface configured to provide a user with an indication of therelative location of the second transmitter relative to the apparatus inaccordance with the control signalling to allow for the second antennato be aligned for data exchange with the second transmitter;

the second apparatus comprising:

a first transmitter configured to transmit alignment signalling to thefirst antenna of the first apparatus over the first communicationchannel; and

a second transmitter configured to exchange data with the second antennaover the second communication channel.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a method of exchangingdata between an apparatus and a transmitter/transceiver comprising:

receiving alignment signalling at the apparatus from a first transmitterof the transmitter/transceiver over a first communication channel, thefirst communication channel having a first set of characteristics;

processing the alignment signalling and determining a location of asecond transmitter of the transmitter/transceiver relative to theapparatus;

generating control signalling representative of the determined locationof the second transmitter relative to the apparatus;

providing a user with an indication of the location of the secondtransmitter relative to the apparatus in accordance with the controlsignalling to allow for the second antenna to be aligned for dataexchange with the second transmitter; and

exchanging data between the apparatus and the second transmitter of thetransmitter/transceiver over a second communication channel.

The method may further comprise a user adjusting the physicalorientation of the apparatus in accordance with the indication of thelocation of the second transmitter relative to the apparatus.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a method of exchangingdata between a transmitter and an apparatus comprising:

transmitting alignment signalling from the transmitter to a firstantenna of the apparatus over a first communication channel, the firstcommunication channel having a first set of characteristics; and

exchanging data between the transmitter and a second antenna of theapparatus over a second communication channel, the second communicationchannel having a second different set of characteristics.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a computer program,recorded on a carrier, the computer program comprising computer codeconfigured to provide any method disclosed herein; or configure anyapparatus disclosed herein.

There may also be provided a computer-readable storage medium havingstored thereon a data structure configured to provide any methoddisclosed herein; or configure any apparatus disclosed herein.

There may be provided a computer program product comprising acomputer-readable medium bearing computer program code embodied thereinfor use with a computer, the computer program code comprising:

code for receiving alignment signalling at the apparatus from a firsttransmitter of the transmitter over a first communication channel, thefirst communication channel having a first set of characteristics;

code for processing the alignment signalling and determining a locationof a second transmitter of the transmitter relative to the apparatus

code for generating control signalling representative of the determinedlocation of the second transmitter relative to the apparatus;

code for providing a user with an indication of the location of thesecond transmitter relative to the apparatus in accordance with thecontrol signalling to allow for the second antenna to be aligned fordata exchange with the second transmitter; and

code for exchanging data between the apparatus and the secondtransmitter of the transmitter over a second communication channel.

There may be provided a computer program product comprising acomputer-readable medium bearing computer program code embodied thereinfor use with a computer, the computer program code comprising:

code for transmitting alignment signalling from the transmitter to afirst antenna of the apparatus over a first communication channel, thefirst communication channel having a first set of characteristics; and

code for exchanging data between the transmitter and a second antenna ofthe apparatus over a second communication channel, the secondcommunication channel having a second different set of characteristics.

A computer-readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executedby a computer, perform:

receiving alignment signalling at an apparatus from a first transmitterof a transmitter over a first communication channel, the firstcommunication channel having a first set of characteristics;

processing the alignment signalling and determining a location of asecond transmitter of the transmitter relative to the apparatus;

generating control signalling representative of the determined locationof the second transmitter relative to the apparatus;

providing a user with an indication of the location of the secondtransmitter relative to the apparatus in accordance with the controlsignalling to allow for the second antenna to be aligned for dataexchange with the second transmitter; and

exchanging data between the apparatus and the second transmitter of thetransmitter over a second communication channel.

A computer-readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executedby a computer, perform:

transmitting alignment signalling from the transmitter to a firstantenna of the apparatus over a first communication channel, the firstcommunication channel having a first set of characteristics; and

exchanging data between the transmitter and a second antenna of theapparatus over a second communication channel, the second communicationchannel having a second different set of characteristics.

There may be provided electronic distribution of any computer program orsoftware disclosed herein.

There may be provided a method of assembling any apparatus or devicedisclosed herein.

There may be provided apparatus for a means for exchanging data betweenan apparatus and a transmitter/transceiver comprising:

means for receiving alignment signalling at the apparatus from a firsttransmitter of the transmitter/transceiver over a first communicationchannel, the first communication channel having a first set ofcharacteristics;

means for processing the alignment signalling and determining a locationof a second transmitter of the transmitter/transceiver relative to theapparatus

means for generating control signalling representative of the determinedlocation of the second transmitter relative to the apparatus;

means for providing a user with an indication of the location of thesecond transmitter relative to the apparatus in accordance with thecontrol signalling to allow for the second antenna to be aligned fordata exchange with the second transmitter; and

means for exchanging data between the apparatus and the secondtransmitter of the transmitter/transceiver over a second communicationchannel.

There may be provided apparatus for a means for exchanging data betweena transmitter/transceiver and an apparatus comprising:

means for transmitting alignment signalling from thetransmitter/transceiver to a first antenna of the apparatus over a firstcommunication channel, the first communication channel having a firstset of characteristics; and

means for exchanging data between the transmitter/transceiver and asecond antenna of the apparatus over a second communication channel thesecond communication channel having a second different set ofcharacteristics.

The present disclosure includes one or more corresponding aspects,embodiments or features in isolation or in various combinations whetheror not specifically stated (including claimed) in that combination or inisolation. Corresponding means for performing one or more of thediscussed functions are also within the present disclosure.

Corresponding computer programs for implementing one or more of themethods disclosed are also within the present disclosure and encompassedby one or more of the described embodiments.

The above summary is intended to be merely exemplary and non-limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A description is now given, by way of example only, with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate schematically an apparatus according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates schematically an apparatus according to an embodimentof the invention in use;

FIG. 3 illustrates schematically a method according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates schematically a method according to anotherembodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates schematically a method according to a furtherembodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates schematically a computer readable media providing aprogram according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus having afirst antenna and a second antenna for exchanging data with respectivetransmitters over different communication channels. The firstcommunication channel may be suitable for exchanging alignmentsignalling so that a user of the apparatus can identify a relativedirection to a transmitter with which the apparatus can exchange dataover the second communication channel. Examples of data that can beexchanged over the second communication channel include high definitionvideo content, information downloaded from the internet, or any otherdata that is typically exchanged over a wireless local area network(WLAN).

The user interface may provide an indication of the location of thetransmitter relative to the apparatus such that a user can manuallyalign the apparatus for data exchange with the second transmitter overthe second communication channel. The relative location can bedetermined in accordance with the alignment signal received over thefirst communication channel.

In some examples, the characteristics of the first communication channelthat make it suitable for exchange alignment signalling can include awide beamwidth/field of view, a low frequency, and a low bit-rate,amongst others. Characteristics of the second communication channel thatmake it suitable for exchanging data can include a high frequency, forexample in the range of 30 GHz to 90-GHz, and in one example of theorder of 60 GHz, a high bit-rate, and a narrow beamwidth/field of view,amongst others.

It will be appreciated that utilising the different communicationchannels for the different exchanges of data can provide an efficientand economical apparatus as excessive, unnecessary power consumption forestablishing the communication path over the second communicationchannel can be reduced and/or avoided, and specific characteristics ofeach of the communication channels can be tailored for the type ofdata/information that is to be exchanged over that channel.

FIG. 1A illustrates a first data processing apparatus 100 according toan embodiment of the invention. The data processing apparatus 100 may beprovided as part of an electronic device (not shown) such as ahand-portable electronic device including a mobile telephone, a personaldigital assistant (PDA) or a laptop computer.

FIG. 1A also illustrates a second data processing apparatus 114. In thisexample, the second data processing apparatus 114 will be referred to asa beacon as it can be configured to transmit data. The use of the word“beacon” should not be construed as limiting the functionality of thesecond data processing apparatus 114. The beacon 114 may relate to asimple transmitter that is only used for direction finding. In otherembodiments, the second data processing apparatus 114 may be a basestation, or a handheld portable electronic device, for example. In someexamples, the first and second apparatus 100, 114 may be of the sametype and may provide for peer-to-peer data exchange.

It will be appreciated that either data processing apparatus 100, 114independently, or both data processing apparatus 100, 114, together maycomprise embodiments of the invention.

The first apparatus 100 comprises a first antenna 102, a second antenna104 and a user interface 108. The first and second antennas 102, 104 anduser interface 108 are in electronic communication with a processor 106.

The first antenna 102, which in this example is a plurality ofomni-directional antennas, which can communicate with a firsttransmitter 116 of the beacon 114, or simply receive data from the firsttransmitter 116 of the beacon 114, over a first communication channel110. The omni-directional antennas may comprise antennas that arealready present on the apparatus/device such as Bluetooth or WLANantennas, as well as a set of supplementary antennas that can beswitched to measure signal properties and resolve the direction ofsignals that they receive. Examples of suitable omni-directionalantennas can include helicoil antennas and tracked antennas that areprovide by tracks on the surface of a printed circuit board (PCB) todefine but two examples of many possible options.

The second antenna 104 is configured to exchange data with a secondtransmitter 118 of the beacon 114 over a second communication channel112.

In other embodiments, the first antenna 102 may be a directional antennasuch as a phased array antenna.

The first and second antennas 102, 104 may form part of associatedtransceivers of the first apparatus. Similarly, the first and secondtransmitters 116, 118 may form part of associated transceivers of thebeacon 114. As described below, at least the second communicationchannel 112 may be unidirectional, although any configuration oftransmitters/receivers/transceivers may be provided in order to performthe data exchange that is required for embodiments of the invention.

The first transmitter 116 of the beacon 114 transmits alignmentsignalling over the first communication channel 110 such that thealignment signalling can be received by the first antenna 102. Thealignment signalling may be an unmodulated signal, such as a sinusoidalwaveform, or may be modulated with data such as transmitteridentification data, synchronisation data, connection initialisationdata, etc. The purpose of the alignment signalling is so that theapparatus 100 can identify a relative location from the apparatus 100 tothe second transmitter 118, and therefore any waveform that can performthis function can be used as the alignment signalling.

In this example, the first antenna 102 has a wide field of view in orderto be able to receive the alignment signalling from the firsttransmitter 116 even if the first antenna 102 is not exactly alignedwith the first transmitter 116. The field of view of the first antenna102 is shown in FIG. 1A as reference 120. The first antenna 102 in thisexample is configured to receive a low frequency, low bit-rate signalover the first communication channel 110 such as using a 2.4 GHz WLAN orBluetooth protocol. It will be appreciated that the amount of data thatneeds to be transferred over the first communication channel 110 isrelatively small, and therefore a low bit-rate communication channel maybe considered as suitable. In addition, low frequency communicationchannels often have a larger field of view than high frequencycommunication channels and therefore may be considered as more suitablefor the first communication channel 110.

It will be appreciated that the first antenna 102 may comprise aplurality of phased array antennas in order to provide a required fieldof view. The phased array antennas may be aligned in one dimension, twodimensions, or three dimensions depending upon the expected use of theapparatus 100, the desired overall field of view and the level of powerconsumption used by the phased array antennas that is consideredacceptable. As an example, the phased array antennas may be providedaround one or more sides of the periphery of a device with which theapparatus is associated.

The second antenna 104 can exchange data with the second transmitter 118over a high frequency, high bit-rate communication channel 112.Typically, such high frequency communication channels have a narrowfield of view/beamwidth, and therefore it can be difficult toefficiently align the second antenna 104 with the second transmitter118. The field of view of the second antenna 104 is shown in FIG. 1A asreference 122. That is, if the second antenna 104 is not accuratelypointing towards the second transmitter 118, then may not be possible toexchange data over the second communications channel 112.

In this example, the processor 106 can process the alignment signallingreceived at the first antenna 102 in order to determine the location ofthe second transmitter 118 relative to the apparatus 100. This can allowfor the second antenna 104 to be aligned with the second transmitter 118for data exchange over the second communications channel 112.

In this example, the first transmitter 116 and the second transmitter118 are co-located within the same beacon 114. Therefore, the processor106 can determine the relative location of the first transmitter 116relative to the apparatus 100 from the alignment signalling, and use therelative location for the first transmitter 116 as the relative locationof the second transmitter 118.

In other embodiments, the first and second transmitters 116, 118 mayhave relative locations with respect to each other that are known, orcan be determined from the alignment signalling. In this way, theprocessor 116 can determine the relative location of the secondtransmitter 118 from the apparatus 100 in accordance with a determinedrelative location of the first transmitter 116.

It will be appreciated to the skilled person that antennas thatdetermine the location of the source of a received signal, such as thealignment signalling received from the first transmitter 116, are wellknown in the art. For example, a direction-of-arrival calculation can beperformed, and an example of a system that can be used to calculate adirection of arrival is shown as FIG. 1B.

The system of FIG. 1B comprises two antennas 152, 154 that each receivesa signal from the same transmitter. The signals received from thetransmitter (not shown) are given reference numbers 156 a and 156 b inFIG. 1B. The phase difference between the signals 156 a, 156 b receivedat the two antennas 152, 154 can be calculated by comparing the signalsreceived at the antennas 152, 154. This may be particularly advantageousfor band-limited signals. The time difference associated with thecalculated phase difference can be multiplied by the speed of light todetermine the difference in path length from the transmitter to the twoantennas 152, 154. The difference in path length is labelled as x inFIG. 1B. Also, the distance d between the two antennas 152, 154 isknown. The angle a from which the signals 156 a, 156 b were received canthen be calculated using mathematics, and in this example, 8 can becalculated using the equation:

θ=arc sin(x/d)

It will be appreciated that more than two antennas 152, 154 at differentlocations can be used to calculate the angle of incidence of thereceived signals 156 a, 156 b. The phase difference signalling need onlybe determined to sufficient accuracy for the second antenna 104 to beable to exchange data with the second transmitter 118. The apparatus 100may be able to process signals received from the second transmitter toprovide further information for determining the location of the secondtransmitter 118. For example, received signal strength analysis receivedfrom the second transmitter 118 may be used to more accurately determinethe location of the second transmitter 118.

Use of the first communication channel 110 may be considered asproviding coarse direction finding in order for the second antenna 104and second transmitter 118 to be sufficiently aligned to exchange dataover the second communication channel 112. Optionally, the secondcommunication channel 112 may also provide for more accurate directionfinding in order for the quality of data exchange to be improved. One ormore embodiments of the invention can provide a high quality, in someembodiments optimal, connection for data exchange over the secondcommunication channel.

Other examples of determining the relative direction from which a signalis received that can be used with embodiments of the invention aredescribed in US 2007/0197229 (Kalliola et al).

In some examples, the direction-of-arrival of a radio signal can also bemeasured in an analogue manner using the radiation pattern of a singlereceiver antenna, for example by rotating an antenna with a sharp nullin the pattern.

Returning to FIG. 1 a, the processor 106 generates control signallingfor the user interface 108, wherein the control signalling causes theuser interface to provide a user with an indication of the relativedirection to the second transmitter 118 from the apparatus 100. In oneexample, the user interface 108 may be a graphical display, and apointing arrow can be displayed to the user indicative of the relativedirection to the second transmitter 118. It will be appreciated that thefirst and second antennas 102, 104 may have fixed relationships withregard to the apparatus 100 such that the determined relative directionto the second transmitter 118 from the first or second antenna 102, 104will have the same, or a consistent, relative direction with respect tothe user interface 108.

In embodiments where the second antenna 104 is a directional antenna theuser interface 108 may be used so that the alignment between the secondantenna 104 and the second transmitter 118 is close enough so that thedirectionality of the antenna 104 can be controlled to allow dataexchange. This is because the directionality of the second antenna 104can be automatically controlled by the processor 106 in order tofacilitate the data exchange. In other embodiments, where the secondantenna is not directional, or is not directional enough to establishthe communication link 112 with the second transmitter, physicalmanipulation of the apparatus 100 may be required by the user in orderfor the second antenna 104 and second transmitter 118 to be able toexchange data. For example, the user can move/rotate the apparatus 100such that the second antenna is pointing in the same direction as thepointing arrow on the display 108.

FIG. 2 illustrates schematically an apparatus 202 and a base station 204according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 202 and basestation 204 may be referred to as terminals. The two terminals are setupwith high-gain (for example, narrow beam) antennas. In the exemplaryimplementation both terminals are equipped with an ISM band (2.4 GHzWLAN or Bluetooth) radio. When the need for high speed data transfer atmillimeter waves is detected (for example, by detecting the start of alarge file download or high-definition uncompressed video streaming), aconnection is first established using this 2.4 GHz band radio. Basicdata including the mm-wave link type, availability, frequency, deviceaddresses, timing etc. are exchanged. For the initial mobile antennaalignment the base station 204 transmits a 2.4 GHz beacon signal. Themobile user then points his device 202 (or only his antenna) towards thebase station 204 using the information from the radio directioningreceiver shown on the display 206 of the device 202. The base station204 then transmits a wide-beam mm-wave signal and the mobile terminal202 automatically adjusts its narrow mm-wave beam towards the terminalby scanning the field-of-view and determining the direction of thestrongest signal. This procedure is then reversed to align the basestation antenna beam towards the mobile 202. The 2.4 GHz link can remainactive the whole time and be used for controlling the alignmentprocedure. Once the antenna beams are aligned the data transfer with themm-wave link can start. A flow diagram of the procedure is shown in FIG.5, and it will be appreciated that electrically controlled beam formingprinciples using a planar antenna array are well known in the art.

If the low-frequency direction finding system is accurate enough, themm-wave antenna beams can be adjusted by using this information only. Insuch an example, the part of the system using wide mm-wave beams can beomitted. This would simplify the system significantly. Entirely manualantenna pointing could also be possible.

A principle for implementation of the radio direction finding is basedon receiving a known signal with an array of receivers. By detecting thephase difference of the signals received at different locations, theangle of incidence can be deduced. The accuracy of the handsetimplementation can depend on the environment (distance, angle etc.) butis normally in the order of 5-10 degrees. This should be enough for thecoarse adjustment of the millimeter-wave antenna. Instead of using anestablished 2.4 GHz system, dedicated radios and/or other frequenciescan be used for the connection assistance.

It will also be appreciated that the concept is not limited to basestation—mobile station arrangement, but can be used in cases where theuser(s) would like to establish high-rate connection between two mobiledevices in case of a direct device-to-device connection. In case ofpeer-to-peer communications the manual alignment procedure may beperformed at both ends whereas in the case of a fixed base station, theantenna field-of-view can cover the required space or several antennascan be used. Furthermore, in some examples the lower frequency link canbe used as a fall-back mode for exchanging data that would otherwise betransmitted over the higher frequency link, in case of misalignment ofthe antennas or shadowing of the devices.

FIG. 3 illustrates schematically a process flow for exchanging dataaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

The process begins at step 302 by receiving alignment signalling from afirst transmitter. The alignment signalling is received over a firstcommunication channel having a first set of characteristics. Examples ofthe characteristics of the first communication channel include a lowfrequency, a low bit-rate, lower power consumption, and a narrowbeamwidth, for example.

The method continues at step 304 by determining the relative location ofa second transmitter in accordance with the received alignmentsignalling. Any fixed relationship between the first and secondtransmitter in terms of location can be taken into account whendetermining the relative location of the second transmitter.

At step 306, the method comprises generating control signallingrepresentative of the determined location of the transmitter relative tothe apparatus. The control signalling being suitable for a userinterface.

At step 308, the method comprises providing a user with an indication ofthe location of the transmitter relative to the apparatus in accordancewith the control signalling. This can allow for the second antenna to bealigned for data exchange with the transmitter;

At step 310, the process continues by exchanging data with the secondtransmitter in accordance with the determined relative location of thesecond transmitter. This can be performed by automaticallycontrolling/adjusting the directionality of the second antenna and/or byhaving the physical orientation of the second antennacontrolled/adjusted by a user such that the required communicationchannel is provided for the exchange of data.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process flow according to a further embodiment ofthe invention, and begins at step 402 by transmitting alignmentsignalling from a first transmitter. The alignment signalling may betransmitted for receipt by a first antenna of a different dataprocessing apparatus such that the different data processing apparatuscan be aligned in accordance with the alignment signalling for dataexchange with a second transmitter.

After the second transmitter and an antenna of the different apparatushave been aligned in accordance with the alignment signalling, theprocess continues by exchanging data between the second transmitter andthe antenna of the different apparatus at step 404.

FIG. 6 illustrates schematically a computer/processor readable media 600providing a program according to an embodiment of the present invention.In this example, the computer/processor readable media is a disc such asa digital versatile disc (DVD) or a compact disc (CD). In otherembodiments, the computer readable media may be any media that has beenprogrammed in such a way as to carry out an inventive function.

One or more embodiments of the invention are related to radio technologyand in particular to high-speed communications using millimeter wavefrequency range. A solution is proposed to assist in the initialalignment of millimeter wave narrow-beam antennas to enable the setup ofa high-speed communication link and in the control of that link.

Embodiments of the invention can address any issues related to providingline-of-sight propagation combined with a limited link budget, and canaddress problems with the prior art that require the use of directiveantennas to attain reasonable wireless communication distances.Directive antennas may limit the mobility and general usability of theplanned systems. Several standards in the 60 GHz frequency range areunder development (IEEE 802.15.3c, WGA, ECMA-387, WirelessHD).

It will be appreciated that any electronic device can be used as thesecond apparatus 114 in FIG. 1A, or the base station 204 in FIG. 2. Theapparatus that is used to transmit data may be considered as a “veryhigh speed connection/access point”. Under the ECMA standards, thesecond apparatus 114 of FIG. 1A maybe referred to as a “device” for aPAL personal area network, and it could be a local connection device. Insome examples, apparatus according to embodiments of the invention maybe referred to by the terms “relay” and “destination” depending on thedata traffic flow.

It will also be appreciated that two or more apparatus that each havesimilar functionality to both the first and second apparatus 100, 114 ofFIG. 1A may provide an embodiment of the invention. That is, eachapparatus may have both transmit and receive functionality. The twoapparatus may be handheld and may provide for peer-to-peer dataexchange.

In some examples narrow-beam antennas must be carefully aligned towardseach other in order to establish high-speed millimeter wave radio linkbetween two terminals. To ensure a certain level of mobility andusability in the system, one or both of the antennas can be equippedwith a steerable beam. For the alignment of one of the beams, it can behelpful to use a wider radiation pattern in the other antenna duringthis process and then switch to the narrow beam for the high-speed datatransfer when better link budget is required. In this way, thenarrow-beam antenna can be pointed in the direction of the strongestsignal. If narrow beams were used at both ends, it would be verydifficult to find the best alignment, and in theory no signal would bereceived until the two beams would point directly at each other. In aworst case scenario, an exhaustive search with all the possiblecombinations of beam directions would have to be carried out, consuminga significant amount of time and energy.

In some embodiments, a control link using omni-directional antennas, forexample, is first established to synchronize this procedure.Nevertheless, in that case the transmission power needs to be higher toachieve a similar range compared to the case with narrow antenna beams,resulting in higher power consumption and more demanding designs capableof delivering the required power. Even in the omni-directional antennacase, the initial alignment may be done manually to ensure that theterminals are in each other's field of vision, that is, in the range ofthe steering angle of the narrow beam antennas. This may not always beobvious if the terminals are not easily visible or if there are severalterminals and a possibility of confusion. A practical limit for thesteering angle of a mm-wave planar phased array antenna, which is onemethod of implementing a steerable beam, can be ±45 degrees.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a lower frequencysystem/communication channel is used to assist in the establishing ofthe primary/higher frequency communication link. At least one or more ofthe following advantages/features may be provided:

1. Using radio direction finding to locate the other terminal. Forexample, the lower frequency radio does not only provide Layer 1-3parameters for the high-frequency radio to set up the link, but also thedirection of the device with which the high-frequency link should beestablished.

-   -   a. This direction can be then shown to the user for better        device alignment; or    -   b. It can be used automatically to steer the antenna beams        without user intervention; or    -   c. A combination of a. and b. A certain degree of manual device        alignment is likely to be required even with automatically        steerable beam, as only a portion of 360° may be covered by        automatic beam steering.

2. Low-data rate signaling to control and synchronise the terminals.

3. To provide only the other link direction (i.e., uplink or downlink)in case of asymmetric data transfer requirement.

In some examples, the lower frequency radio may be an existing systemsuch as Wireless LAN, although it can also be a dedicated system. Radiodirection finding systems using 2.4 GHz WLAN or Bluetooth signals thatare suitable for use with embodiments of the invention are known, forexample in US 2007/0197229.

Further advantages can include:

The initial alignment of the mobile terminal antenna can be done withoutprior knowledge of the location of the other antenna. This may beespecially useful if the other antenna is obscured from view, forexample in a ceiling cavity.

The low-frequency link can provide a control channel to synchronize theprocedure of fine adjustment of the antenna beams and initializing theconnection.

In case of asymmetric data transfer requirements, millimeter wave linkis needed only in one direction if the additional low-frequency radio isused as the return link.

Direction finding processing using 2.4 GHz radios may be a standardfeature in mobile devices to provide direction finding applications tothe users as there are plans to embed the functionality to all Bluetoothchips. Therefore, the same radio can be used for both direction findingfor those particular applications as well as finding both devices andtheir antenna field of views in case of mm-wave links.

If the lower frequency link is used as a fall-back mode, the reliabilityof the data transfer is improved. The low frequency mode may provideinformation that enables the user to resume data transfer (e.g., in caseof large data file) even if the mm-wave link breaks down.

Embodiments of the invention may require algorithmic support from aradio chip associated with the apparatus, as well as a multi-antennaelement with switching capabilities in some examples.

Other embodiments depicted in the figures have been provided withreference numerals that correspond to similar features of earlierdescribed embodiments. For example, feature number 1 can also correspondto numbers 101, 201, 301 etc. These numbered features may appear in thefigures but may not have been directly referred to within thedescription of these particular embodiments. These have still beenprovided in the figures to aid understanding of the further embodiments,particularly in relation to the features of similar earlier describedembodiments.

It will be appreciated to the skilled reader that any mentionedapparatus/device/server and/or other features of particular mentionedapparatus/device/server may be provided by apparatus arranged such thatthey become configured to carry out the desired operations only whenenabled, e.g., switched on, or the like. In such cases, they may notnecessarily have the appropriate software loaded into the active memoryin the non-enabled (e.g., switched off state) and only load theappropriate software in the enabled (e.g., on state). The apparatus maycomprise hardware circuitry and/or firmware. The apparatus may comprisesoftware loaded onto memory. Such software/computer programs may berecorded on the same memory/processor/functional units and/or on one ormore memories/processors/functional units.

In some embodiments, a particular mentioned apparatus/device/server maybe preprogrammed with the appropriate software to carry out desiredoperations, and wherein the appropriate software can be enabled for useby a user downloading a “key”, for example, to unlock/enable thesoftware and its associated functionality. Advantages associated withsuch embodiments can include a reduced requirement to download data whenfurther functionality is required for a device, and this can be usefulin examples where a device is perceived to have sufficient capacity tostore such pre-programmed software for functionality that may not beenabled by a user.

It will be appreciated that the any mentionedapparatus/circuitry/elements/processor may have other functions inaddition to the mentioned functions, and that these functions may beperformed by the same apparatus/circuitry/elements/processor. One ormore disclosed aspects may encompass the electronic distribution ofassociated computer programs and computer programs (which may besource/transport encoded) recorded on an appropriate carrier (e.g.,memory, signal).

It will be appreciated that any “computer” described herein can comprisea collection of one or more individual processors/processing elementsthat may or may not be located on the same circuit board, or the sameregion/position of a circuit board or even the same device. In someembodiments one or more of any mentioned processors may be distributedover a plurality of devices. The same or different processor/processingelements may perform one or more functions described herein.

It will be appreciated that the term “signalling” may refer to one ormore signals transmitted as a series of transmitted and/or receivedsignals. The series of signals may comprise one, two, three, four oreven more individual signal components or distinct signals to make upsaid signalling. Some or all of these individual signals may betransmitted/received simultaneously, in sequence, and/or such that theytemporally overlap one another.

With reference to any discussion of any mentioned computer and/orprocessor and memory (e.g., including ROM, CD-ROM etc), these maycomprise a computer processor, Application Specific Integrated Circuit(ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and/or other hardwarecomponents that have been programmed in such a way to carry out theinventive function.

The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual featuredescribed herein and any combination of two or more such features, tothe extent that such features or combinations are capable of beingcarried out based on the present specification as a whole, in the lightof the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the artirrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solveany problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope ofthe claims. The applicant indicates that the disclosedaspects/embodiments may consist of any such individual feature orcombination of features. In view of the foregoing description it will beevident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may bemade within the scope of the disclosure.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamentalnovel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodimentsthereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutionsand changes in the form and details of the devices and methods describedmay be made by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that allcombinations of those elements and/or method steps which performsubstantially the same function in substantially the same way to achievethe same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, itshould be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method stepsshown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form orembodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosedor described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter ofdesign choice. Furthermore, in the claims means-plus-function clausesare intended to cover the structures described herein as performing therecited function and not only structural equivalents, but alsoequivalent structures. Thus although a nail and a screw may not bestructural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface tosecure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface,in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may beequivalent structures.

1. An apparatus comprising: a first antenna configured to receivealignment signalling from a first transmitter over a first communicationchannel, the first communication channel having a first set ofcharacteristics; a second antenna configured to exchange data with asecond transmitter over a second communication channel, the secondcommunication channel having a second different set of characteristics;a processor configured to: process the alignment signalling receivedfrom the first antenna and determine the location of the secondtransmitter relative to the apparatus; and generate control signallingrepresentative of the determined location of the second transmitterrelative to the apparatus; and a user interface configured to provide auser with an indication of the relative location of the secondtransmitter relative to the apparatus in accordance with the controlsignalling to allow for the second antenna to be aligned for dataexchange with the second transmitter.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the user interface comprises a display configured to provide auser with a graphical indication of the relative direction to the secondtransmitter from the apparatus.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefirst and second transmitters have relative locations which areassociated with one another
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefirst set of characteristics of the first communication channel aredefined by one or more from the group comprising: a lower data rate thanthe data rate associated with the second communication channel; a widerfield of view than the field of view associated with the secondcommunication channel; a lower frequency RF signal than the frequencyassociated with the second communication channel; a lower powerconsumption than the power consumption associated with exchanging dataover the second communication channel; functionality to provide digitalsignal processing at carrier frequency; and higher tolerance for losingline of sight between the first antenna and the first transmitter thanthe tolerance for losing line of sight over the second communicationchannel.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second set ofcharacteristics of the second communication channel are defined by oneor more from the group comprising: a higher data rate than the data rateassociated with the first communication channel; a narrower field ofview than the field of view associated with the first communicationchannel; a higher frequency RF signal than the frequency associated withthe first communication channel; and a higher power consumption than thepower consumption associated with exchanging data over the firstcommunication channel.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firstand second transmitters are co-located, and the processor is configuredto control the direction of the second antenna such that it is alignedwith the determined relative direction to the first transmitter.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the second antenna is a directionalantenna, and the processor is configured to control the directionalityof the second antenna in accordance with the determined relativedirection to the second transmitter from the apparatus.
 8. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the first communication channel is selected from thegroup comprising: a 2.4 GHz wireless local area network (WLAN) channel;and a Bluetooth channel.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the secondcommunication channel is selected from the group comprising: a wirelesslocal area network channel with a frequency in the range of about 30 GHzto about 90 GHz; and a 60 GHz wireless local area network channel. 10.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alignment signalling comprises oneor more of: transmitter identification data; synchronisation data;connection initialisation data; an un-modulated waveform.
 11. Anapparatus comprising: a first transmitter configured to transmitalignment signalling to a firs antenna over a first communicationchannel, the first communication channel, the first communicationchannel having a first set of characteristics; and a second transmitterconfigured to exchange data with a second antenna over a secondcommunication channel, the second communication channel having a seconddifferent set of characteristics.
 12. A device comprising the apparatusof claim
 11. 13. A method of exchanging data between an apparatus and atransmitter comprising: receiving alignment signalling at the apparatusfrom the transmitter over a first communication channel, the firstcommunication channel having a first set of characteristics; processingthe alignment signalling at the apparatus from the transmitter over afirst communication channel, the first communication channel having afirst set of characteristics; processing the alignment signalling anddetermining a location of the transmitter relative to the apparatus;generating control signalling representative of the determined locationof the transmitter relative to the apparatus; providing a user with anindication of the location of the transmitter relative to the apparatusin accordance with the control signalling to allow for the secondantenna to he aligned for data exchange with the transmitter; andexchanging data between the apparatus and the transmitter over a secondcommunication channel.
 14. (canceled)
 15. A computer program, recordedon a carrier, the computer program comprising computer code configuredto provide the method of claim 13.